Curtin University’s Associate Professor Therese Jefferson has been appointed to the role of Australian Research Council (ARC) Executive Director (ED) for Social, Behavioural and Economic Sciences (SBE) – a move congratulated and strongly supported by her peers.
Associate Professor Jefferson is a Research Academic at the Curtin Graduate School of Business and Co-Director of the Women in Social & Economic Research (WiSER) unit.
Her research expertise lies in the gendered aspects of employment, economic security and labour markets, with special interest in the economic well-being of people in later life and the use of mixed methodologies in economics.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Chris Moran said Associate Professor Jefferson is recognised internationally for her multi-disciplinary research on gender equity, labour market participation and the application of social research methods to economic research.
“Therese’s considerable experience and strong motivation to facilitate Australian researchers’ capacity to engage in ground-breaking theoretical and applied research, makes her an ideal candidate for the role,” Professor Moran said.
Associate Professor Jefferson said she looked forward to contributing to the ARC’s role of facilitating high-quality funded research that delivers cultural, economic, social and environmental benefits to all Australians, and which positions Australian researchers as key global researchers and innovators.
“Working as Executive Director – SBE is an opportunity to apply my experience to a new and important arena through the provision of strategic advice on emerging disciplines and cross-disciplinary developments and the assessment and ranking of funding proposals and recommendations. I look forward to and welcome this challenge,” Associate Professor Jefferson said.
ARC EDs are academics drawn from the higher education and research sectors. They are respected researchers in their fields, with extensive Australian and international research networks, who provide valuable expert advice and guidance across the ARC’s core functions and specific discipline areas.
Associate Professor Jefferson has been seconded until February 2020 and will leave her position at Curtin University to fulfill the ARC ED role.
Associate Professor Jefferson will replace outgoing SBE ED, Professor Marian Simms, who will complete her appointment at the ARC in December 2016.
